THEY SAID!

by CK Houghton

As she was born someone said,“Place a garland ‘round her head,For this is the best, the newborn age,”The babe cried out in silent rage,“I can be abused, I depend on you,For whatever I need and whatever I do.”Nonsense! THEY said.“Of all the ages ‘twixt time and tide,The newborn age is the best,” They cried.Unfortunately….unknowingly,THEY lied!

When she was ready to go to school,Some “genius” coined this “golden rule,”Childhood’s the best of all the years,The child protested in helpless tears,“You don’t know my fears and the childhood it mars,The hitting hand or emotional scars,”Nonsense! THEY said.“Of all the ages ‘twixt time and tide,Of course childhood’s the best, THEY cried.Unfortunately….unknowingly,THEY lied.

The teenage years with promise dawned,“Oh youth is wasted on the young!!”Cried out the song, “it’s true, it’s true,”The teenager smiled and said, “FUCK YOU!!”“You make the rules in peace and war,controlling my life as never before.”Nonsense! THEY said.“Of all the ages ‘twixt time and tide,Teen years are really the best,’ THEY cried.Unfortunately….unknowingly,THEY lied.

Adult years came and with them struggle,The price of love was babes to snuggle,Ah, young adulthood’s the best, THEY said,The young adult cried, “You’re out of your head!”I’m always struggling with work and home,There’re always problems, I’m never alone,”Nonsense! THEY said.“Of all the ages ‘twixt time and tide,Young adulthood must be the best, THEY cried.Unfortunately….unknowingly,THEY lied.

The “middle ages” came and then,His cheating with women, her cheating with men,The “middle ages,” the best of times,The brightest of futures, the struggles behind,The “middle-ager” sighed, “You are blind!”“The kids don’t need me; my husband’s a stranger,And suicide is an ever present danger,”Nonsense! THEY said.“Of all the ages ‘twixt time and tide,Middle age is the greatest, “THEY cried.Unfortunately….unknowingly,THEY lied.

Golden years came much too fast,A doubt-filled future, regret-filled past,Golden Age, the best, THEY shouted,The elderly shook her head and doubted,“This is what’s left to those like me,Social security and little to eat,A tired body and crippled feet,A loneliness that cuts like a knife,See what an ending for one precious life!”Nonsense! THEY said.“Of all the ages ‘twixt time and tide,The Golden Age is….”“Oh God!” she cried.“Throughout ALL the stages of my life,YOU’VE lied!!”

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